Senators call for PM Srettha’s exit after ex-con Cabinet pick

[webfact]

by Bob Scott

 

Picture courtesy of Phuket Express

Forty former senators are pushing for the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin over his decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a Cabinet minister. They announced plans to submit their closing statement to the Constitutional Court by the end of the month.

 

Somchai Swangkarn, a former Senator, revealed that the group is finalising a written closing statement for submission through the Senate speaker. According to Somchai, the statement will urge the court to hold the prime minister accountable for appointing an ineligible person to a ministerial position.

Despite the Thai premier’s assertion that he sought the Council of State’s opinion on the matter, Somchai pointed out discrepancies in the request submitted by the Cabinet secretariat.

 

The request did not ask the council for its opinion regarding the requirements for a Cabinet minister candidate under Section 160 (4) and (5) of the constitution, which demand that ministers uphold moral integrity and refrain from violating ethical standards for political office holders, said Somchai.

“By asking if Pichit meets the requirement under Section 160 (6) and (7), the cabinet secretariat tried to create the narrative that Pichit was eligible to assume the post.

 

“Had the Cabinet secretariat asked the council if Pichit meets the requirement under Section 160 (4) and (5), the answer would have been different.”

Contempt of court

 

The former senators filed the petition to remove the 62 year old Srettha as prime minister in May, arguing that Pichit was unfit for a Cabinet post due to his 2008 jail sentence for contempt of court, stemming from an attempt to bribe Supreme Court officials in a land case involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Pichit resigned from his position as PM’s Office Minister just before the court accepted the petition, a move seen by observers as an effort to spare PM Srettha from legal complications.

 

While the Constitutional Court agreed to hear the case against the Bangkok-born Srettha, it rejected the case against Pichit since he had already stepped down. The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the case against Srettha on August 14.

 

A source in the Cabinet previously mentioned that Pichit’s imprisonment in 2008 did not disqualify him from being appointed as a Cabinet minister because he was appointed 10 years after completing his jail term, as required by election law. However, whether Pichit meets the moral and ethical standards mandated by the constitution is a separate issue, reported Bangkok Post.

Former senator Wanchai Sornsiri also commented that Pichit was convicted only of contempt of court, not attempted bribery, which would have prevented him from assuming the ministerial post.

 

As the deadline for submitting the closing statement approaches, all eyes are on the Constitutional Court’s forthcoming decision, which will have significant implications for PM Srettha’s administration.

 

by Bob Scott
Picture courtesy of Phuket Express

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-31

 

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[stoner]

here comes my boy anutin. 

[Geoffggi]

There does not appear to be a modicum of honesty or trust between the government as a whole, IMHO ............LOL 😎

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

here comes my boy anutin. 

I reckon Anutin is aligning himself with Thaksin to get the top job...

Thaksin needs Anutins backing and Anutin wants to be boss

[stoner]

11 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I reckon Anutin is aligning himself with Thaksin to get the top job...

Thaksin needs Anutins backing and Anutin wants to be boss

 

correct. since the election he and BJT have held all the cards. 

[rwill]

Not the first ex convict given a government job.

[cncltd1973]

and lose the most popular politician? what will the Thai do?

[Pouatchee]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

here comes my boy anutin. 

 

He is the only weed friendly minister. Thanks to him over 4000 potheads got out of jail, while DUI drivers get a slap on thd wrist. Tavisin keeps bawling about how bad the economy is, yet he is willing go close thousands of dispensaries and grow farms putting 1000's out of work. Clown face needs to surrender the throne. Anutin,despite his dislike of foreigners, is currently the best candidate to take over

[stoner]

Just now, Pouatchee said:

yet he is willing go close thousands of dispensaries and grow farms putting 1000's out of work.

 

never mind the other trickle down effect legalization has had. so many other aspects that are never talked about yet have had a huge positive effect on many lives here. 

[khaowong1]

which demand that ministers uphold moral integrity and refrain from violating ethical standards ...  

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

his decision to appoint Pichit Chuenban, an ex-convict, as a Cabinet minister.

Aren't these the senators that suck up to Anutin's party?

Anutin who supported the appointment of Thammanat who is a cabinet minister.

He is also an ex-convict having been caught smuggling cocaine flour into Australia and was gaoled there.

But an Australian gaol does not count apparently

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, cncltd1973 said:

and lose the most popular politician? what will the Thai do?

Celebrate

PS Pita is the most popular politician according to the polls.

[TheAppletons]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Celebrate

PS Pita is the most popular politician according to the polls.

 

 

[spidermike007]

Moral bankruptcy knows no boundaries. Srettha is a puppet with no sense of ethics or vision for his nation. Oust him. ASAP. Then lock him up. 

[CallumWK]

3 hours ago, stoner said:

 

correct. since the election he and BJT have held all the cards. 

 

Isn't there an investigation going why all those senators are BJT linked?

[CallumWK]

2 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

Anutin,despite his dislike of foreigners, is currently the best candidate to take over

 

Can't wait for the crying fest of the foreigners on this forum when that happens.

 

You should be aware that both Anutin and Thaksin dislike foreigners. Good luck

[Pouatchee]

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

You should be aware that both Anutin and Thaksin dislike foreigners. Good luck

 

Agreed. However, Anutin never had a shoot first ask questions later contrary to taxsin...

 

[john donson]

the unusual rich club are all crooks

[spidermike007]

I don't really understand the complaints here, as an ex-con it sounds like he's highly and uniquely qualified to be a senator in Thailand.

 

The real question is how many senators are there here who are moral, righteous, and NOT influenced by outside forces?